System for handling the sterilisation of flexible pouches

ABSTRACT

A system of managing the sterilisation of empty flexible pouches ( 1 ) provides applying sacrificial closures ( 200 ) to the empty pouches, loading the empty provisional closed pouches to be sterilised on a transport device ( 300 ) for the collective transportation, performing the sterilisation of the transport device ( 300 ) carrying the empty provisional closed pouches, and finally separating, in a sterile chamber, the sacrificial closures ( 200 ) from the pouches, filling and applying a tamper-proof cap ( 100 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is the 35 U.S.C. § 371 national stage application ofPCT Application No. PCT/IB2017/051768, filed Mar. 28, 2017, where thePCT claims the priority to and benefit of Italian Patent Application No.102016000032367, filed Mar. 30, 2016, both of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties.

The object of the present invention is a method and an apparatus forpreparing flexible pouches for sterilisation. Such pouches generally areused for containing food products such a fruit juices, yoghurt, fruitpurée, creams, honey and the like, or medicines and the like.

In the food sector, the sterilisation of such a type of pouch isenormously important for avoiding contaminations and the properconservation of the food therein contained.

Sometimes, a chemical sterilisation is performed during which the pouchis washed with disinfecting agents, e.g. hydrogen peroxide, and then isdried before being sent to the successive filling operations.

However, chemical sterilisation has certain disadvantages such as forexample, the presence of residues of the disinfecting agent in the drycontainer or the presence of non-disinfected areas due to complex orirregular geometries of the pouch. Such a disadvantage is particularlyfelt in the field of pouches.

Instead, sterilisation by ionising radiation, such as gamma rays orelectron beams, is very widespread in the sector. For example, PatentsEP 2701751 and EP 2701979 relating to electron beam sterilisationsystems, to the Applicant.

Usually, the performance of sterilisation by ionising radiation isperformed in specialized centres where the manufacturer of the pouchessends the pouches to be treated; once the sterilisation has beenperformed, the sterile pouches are sent to the filler and the applier ofthe closure using contrivances which allow maintaining the sterilitycondition inside the pouch.

Such logistics obviously imply significant transport costs between thesites and significant complexity in managing the pouches within thesites themselves.

To obviate such a drawback, the Applicant has already conceived a systemfor managing the sterilisation of flexible pouches, disclosed forexample, in International Application PCT/IB2016/051108.

According to the aforesaid management system, the use is provided of aplurality of sacrificial closures reversibly applied to the outlet ofthe spout of empty pouches, which are separated from the spout in asterile chamber, after the empty provisional closed pouches have beensterilised and immediately prior to filling the pouch.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a method and anapparatus for preparing for the sterilisation the empty flexible poucheswhich use further types of closures suitable for optimizing the processwhich transforms the empty pouch to be sterilised into the sterilisedand full pouch.

Such an object is achieved by the methods, assemblies and transportdevices according to the following claims.

The features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description, given by way of a non-limitingexample, according to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an empty pouch provided with a sacrificial closure;

FIG. 2 shows a plurality of pouches of FIG. 1, loaded on a transportdevice;

FIG. 3 depicts a sectional view of a spout provided with the sacrificialclosure, partly accommodated in the transport device, made according toa first sectional plane orthogonal to an axis X in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the spout provided with the sacrificialclosure, partly accommodated in the transport device, made according toa second sectional plane containing the axis X in FIG. 2 and orthogonalto the first sectional plane;

FIG. 5 shows a spout and a permanent cap applicable to the spout, inseparate parts;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show diagrams of embodiment variants of transport groups;

FIG. 8 depicts a diagram of a filling machine.

With reference to the accompanying drawings, numeral 1 indicates aflexible pouch as a whole.

Pouch 1 comprises a container body 2 formed by two or more walls 4 madeof flexible film, facing and joined to each other, e.g. sealed, alongthe edges, possibly with gusseted side walls (gusset pouch) or with abottom wall.

According to one embodiment, the film has a single layer. Preferably,the film is multilayer.

Preferably, one or more layers of the film are made from polymers, suchas e.g. polyolefins, polyamides, polyesters, polycarbonates, polymersobtained from renewable (bio-based), biodegradable, compostable sources.

Moreover, preferably one or more layers are coated with metallic oxides,e.g. aluminium oxides, silicon or combinations thereof, or withcoatings, with or without metallic oxides, such as aluminium oxides.

Moreover, preferably one or more layers are impermeable to oxygen and/orto moisture and/or to light.

Moreover, preferably the film is suitable for supporting sterilisationtreatments by ionising radiations, and also certain heat treatments suchas pasteurization, freezing, or pressure or vacuum treatments.

Moreover, preferably the film or the single layers have a thicknessbetween a few nanometres and a few millimetres.

Pouch 1 further comprises a spout 6 made of rigid material, sealinglyapplied to body 2. In particular, spout 6 typically is inserted in asection of the edge of body 2, usually between the side walls 4.

Preferably, spout 6 is made in a single piece, in plastic material, e.g.polyethylene or polypropylene, by means of injection moulding.

Spout 6 substantially extends along a longitudinal axis Z and comprises,on the side which remains inside the container body 2 of pouch 1 towardthe outside, an entrance portion 8, an intermediate portion 10 and afinal portion 12.

Internally, spout 6 provides a duct 14, usually cylindrical circular inshape, which extends along the longitudinal axis Z between an inlet 16of the entrance portion 8 and an outlet 18 of the final portion 12.

The entrance portion 8 preferably is made from a pair of facing walls20, with prevalent extension in transverse direction, i.e. perpendicularto the longitudinal axis Z, which are joined at the ends. Such wallsexternally form two engagement surfaces 22 intended for coupling withthe films of the container body 2, preferably by means of sealing.

The final portion 12 comprises a tube 24 which extends along thelongitudinal axis Z, coaxial to duct 14, typically ending with outlet18.

According to one embodiment, the final portion 12 further comprises athread 26 for screwing a cap 100, for example made by means of sectionsof interrupted thread.

Preferably, cap 100 for spout 6 comprises an outer annular wall 102which surrounds tube 24 and for example, is provided with the thread forengaging with the thread 26 of spout 6.

Cap 100 further comprises, at one end of the outer annular wall 102, abottom 104 suitable for closing the outlet 18 and a warranty seal 106 atthe other end.

Preferably, the final portion 12 of spout 6 comprises an engagementportion suitable for engaging with the warranty seal 106 of cap 100 tocreate an anti-rotation restraint of said warranty seal.

In other words, cap 100 is applicable to spout 6 of the full pouch in atamper-proof manner because the unscrewing of the cap induces thebreaking of the warranty seal 106, which engages with the engagementportion of spout 6.

Moreover, according to the invention, there is provided a sacrificialclosure 200 suitable for being applied to the spout 6 of the emptypouch, and in particular to the tube 24 of the final portion 12, toclose outlet 18 in an irreversible manner.

In other words, the sacrificial closure 200 is irreversible because itcannot be reused or it is separable from the spout only by the crackingor breaking thereof or of tube 24 to which it is applied.

For example, the sacrificial closure 200 is formed by a thin membraneapplied to the peripheral edge of outlet 18, for example by means of anadhesive or by means of soldering.

Said thin membrane can be peeled from the spout, but it cannot bereused, unless there is a new application of adhesive or after newsoldering.

According to a further embodiment, the sacrificial closure 200 is formedby a septum applied to the peripheral edge of outlet 18, for example bymeans of an adhesive or by means of soldering. Said septum can be brokenfor example, by using a specific tool.

According to a further embodiment again, the sacrificial closure 200 isformed by a stopper arranged to close outlet 18, made in a single piecewith said tube 24 during the moulding process.

For the opening of the spout, tube 24 is cut close to the stopper so asto move away the plugged portion.

The sacrificial closure 200 in any case makes a seal with tube 24 so asto preserve any pre-existing sterility conditions inside the pouch.

The intermediate portion 10 comprises a first support surface 30 and asecond support surface 32, which substantially are lying on planesorthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z, and spaced axially.

For example, said support surfaces are formed by axially-spaced facingsurfaces of a first plate 30 a and a second plate 32 a, respectively.

Preferably, the first plate 30 a is joined to the walls 20 of theentrance portion 8, while the second plate 32 a is joined to theengagement portion of the final portion 12.

Moreover, preferably the intermediate portion 10 has a first guidesurface 34 and a second guide surface 36 which are parallel to eachother, parallel to the longitudinal axis Z and equidistant therefrom,the guide surfaces being contained between the support surfaces 30, 32.

For example, said guide surfaces 34, 36 are formed bytransversely-spaced, opposed, surfaces of guide walls 34 a, 36 a,respectively.

According to the invention, there is also provided a transport device300 suitable for loading a plurality of pouches 1 provided with therespective sacrificial closure 200.

Said transport device 300 has a compartment 302 in which, when the pouchwith the closure is loaded, at least a portion of spout 6 is housed anda respective sacrificial closure 200 is applied to the spout, while thepossible remaining part of spout 6 and the container body 2 are arrangedoutside compartment 302.

Moreover, the transport device 300 has support means suitable forengaging spout 6 and supporting the pouch provided with the closure,both in the “standing” configuration in which the spout is arranged atthe top and the pouch at the bottom, and in the “upside down”configuration in which the spout is arranged at the bottom and the pouchat the top (FIG. 2).

Preferably, said support means comprise a pair of fins 304 suitable forbeing housed between the support surfaces 30, 32 of spout 6, thuscreating a bilateral engagement in the direction of the longitudinalaxis Z.

Moreover, said engagement means of the transport device 300 are suitablefor engaging spout 6 in a sliding manner along a sliding axis X, lyingon a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis Z.

In particular, said fins 304 allow the sliding of the pouch with theclosure along the sliding axis X; preferably, said sliding is guided bythe guide surfaces 34, 36 which cooperate with the fins 304.

According to a preferred embodiment, said transport device 300 comprisesa section bar having extension along said sliding axis X.

Preferably, said section bar comprises a base 308 placed side-by-sideside walls 310, said base covered by said fins 304, each protruding fromthe respective side wall 310. Base 308, the walls 310 and the fins 304peripherally define compartment 302.

For example, with pouch 1 provided with spout 6 loaded on the sectionbar, the fins 304 are inserted between the support surfaces 30, 32,while the second plate 32 a, tube 24 and closure 200 are contained incompartment 302.

According to the invention, a method of preparation for thesterilisation comprises a first step which provides producing aplurality of container bodies 2, the production of a plurality of spouts6, the production (or the reuse) of a plurality of sacrificial closures200.

Spout 6 is sealingly applied to the respective container body 2, thusobtaining a plurality of pouches 1.

In certain variant embodiments, the sacrificial closure 200 is appliedto tube 24, thus making an empty provisional closed pouch to besterilised 600.

In certain variant embodiments, the sacrificial closure 200 isintegrated with the spout (stopper in a single piece with the tube),thus equally making an empty provisional closed pouch to be sterilised600.

Moreover, the method of preparation for the sterilisation comprises asuccessive step of loading a plurality of transport devices 300 withempty provisional closed pouches to be sterilised, each transport devicebeing loaded with a predetermined number of empty provisional closedpouches to be sterilised, for the collective transportation to asterilizer.

For example, the loading step provides the insertion by sliding of theempty provisional closed pouches 600 in said section bar along saidsliding axis X and the support of the provisional closed pouch, in the“standing” or “upside down” configuration, by means of the engagement ofthe fins 304 between the support surfaces 30, 32 of the spouts 6.

Then, preferably the method provides forming a transport group 400containing a plurality of transport devices 300, each carrying the emptyclosed pouches to be sterilised, stacked.

According to one embodiment (FIG. 6), group 400 comprises a plurality ofsimple transport surfaces 402, in which each transport surface 402comprises a predefined number of transport devices 300 placedside-by-side at the same height, all carrying the empty provisionalpouches arranged in the same direction, for example all “standing”, i.e.facing with the spout towards the side, or all “upside down”, i.e.facing with the spout downwards. The transport surfaces 402 are stacked,thus forming the transport group 400.

According to a further embodiment (FIG. 7), group 400 comprises aplurality of dual transport surfaces 402, in which each transportsurface comprises a first level 404 comprising a predefined number oftransport devices 300 placed side-by-side at the same height, allcarrying empty provisional pouches arranged in the same direction, forexample all “standing” or all “upside down”, and a second level 406superimposed on the first, comprising a predefined number of transportdevices 300 placed side-by-side, all carrying the empty provisionalpouches arranged in the direction opposite to that of the first level404, for example all “upside down” or all “standing”.

In the transport surfaces according to such an embodiment, the“standing” provisional pouches therefore are alternated by the “upsidedown” provisional pouches along the sliding axis X.

Said transport surfaces 402 also are stacked, thus forming the transportgroup 400.

The loading operations for forming the dual transport surfaces areshown, for pouches not provided with sacrificial closure, in EuropeanPatent EP-B1-2611704 to the Applicant, the teachings of which in thisregard are incorporated herein.

Generally, the transport group 400 is housed in a box 410, e.g. acardboard box, for transport.

The method further provides a possible transport step in which thetransport group 400 is transported from the manufacturer's site to asteriliser, for example a specialized centre or a filler that alsoperforms the sterilisation, where a sterilisation step is performed.

During the sterilisation step, the whole transport group 400, with orwithout box 410, or the individual simple or dual transport surfaces 402thereof, is subjected to sterilisation by ionising radiations.

If the sterilisation step is performed at a specialized centre, thetransport group 400, consisting of sterilised empty provisional closedpouches, is transported to the filler.

At the filler, the sterilised empty provisional closed pouches arepicked from the transport group 400 and sent to a filling machine 500provided with a sterile chamber 502 suitable for containing, for eachsterilised empty provisional closed pouch, at least a portion of thetube 24 of spout 6 and the sacrificial closure 200 applied thereto.

The opening of the sterilised empty provisional closed pouch isperformed in the sterile chamber 502 of machine 500, i.e. a step ofbreaking the sacrificial closure 200 or separation from the spout, so asto free the filling access.

Preferably, the sacrificial closures 200 are collected and set aside,and possibly allocated for recycling.

The filling machine 500 further comprises filling means 504 which leadinto the sterile chamber 502, which are suitable for the controlledsupply of the product that pouch 1 is filled with, through spout 6.Therefore a filling step is performed.

Finally, a step of applying the tamper-proof cap 100 to the tube 24 ofspout 6 of the full pouch occurs in the sterile chamber 502 of machine500.

The final, still sterile closed pouches thus obtained, provided with cap100, leave the sterile chamber 502 and are sent to the successivepacking and shipping operations.

Innovatively, the sterilisation management system according to thepresent invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art because itallows an increased number of empty pouches to be transported or handledwhile maintaining the sterility conditions up to the application of thefinal cap.

Moreover, advantageously the use of peelable membrane or of a breakableseptum allows the inside of the container body to be accessed veryquickly without for example, unscrewing or separating a sacrificialclosure applied by pressure or screwing.

According to a further advantageous aspect, the use of a stopper in asingle piece with the tube of the spout avoids the step of applying asacrificial closure by pressure or screwing, since the stopper is madedirectly during the moulding step of the spout.

It is apparent that those skilled in the art may make modifications tothe above-described method and device in order to meet contingent needs,without departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method of preparation for sterilizationof empty pouches, comprising the steps of: producing a plurality ofpouches at a manufacturer's site, wherein each pouch comprises acontainer body formed by walls made of flexible film and a spoutcomprising an entrance portion with an inlet and a tube with an outlet,said spout being sealingly applied to the container body so as toprotrude outside of the container body with at least a section of thetube; providing said spout of the empty pouch with an irreversiblesacrificial closure, formed by a peelable membrane or a breakableseptum, for the outlet of the spout, thereby obtaining empty provisionalclosed pouches to be sterilized; loading a plurality of emptyprovisional closed pouches to be sterilized on a transport device forcollective transportation to a sterilizer; forming a stacked transportgroup containing a plurality of transport devices, stacked; transportingthe transport group from the manufacturer's site towards the sterilizerin the form of a specialized center or a filler that also performs asterilization by ionizing radiation, where a sterilization step is to beperformed; and performing the sterilization on the whole transport groupby ionizing radiation on the transport group, thereby obtainingsterilized empty closed pouches, wherein the transport device consistsof a section bar having prevalent extension along a sliding axis and theloading step involves insertion by sliding of the empty provisionalclosed pouches in said section bar along said sliding axis; wherein thespout further comprises first and second support surfaces, wherein thetransport device is provided with fins suitable to support the pouch byengaging the fins between the first and second support surfaces of thespout; wherein the pouches are slidable in the section bar along saidsliding axis; wherein the fins of the transport device cooperate withfirst and second guide surfaces of the spout to guide the sliding of thepouch in the section bar, the fins suitable for engaging the spoutbetween the first and second guide surfaces and supporting the pouch inboth a “standing” configuration where the spout is arranged at the topand the pouch at the bottom and in an “upside down” configuration wherethe spout is arranged at the bottom and pouch at the top; wherein thefirst and second guide surfaces are flat and parallel to each other,parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pouch, and equidistant from thelongitudinal axis, the first and second guide surfaces being containedbetween the first and second support surfaces; and wherein said guidesurfaces are formed by transversely-spaced, opposed, surfaces of firstand second guide walls, respectively.
 2. The method according to claim1, wherein the loading step provides for support of the provisionalclosed pouch, in a “standing” configuration or an “upside down”configuration through the use of the fins between the first and secondsupport surfaces of the spouts.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein after the step of loading the empty provisional closed pouchesto be sterilized on the transport device, there is provided the step offorming a transport group containing a plurality of stacked transportdevices.
 4. A method of sterilization of empty flexible pouches,comprising the steps of: providing a transport group comprising aplurality of transport devices, each carrying empty closed pouches to besterilized, said transport devices stacked, wherein each empty closedpouch to be sterilized comprises a container body having walls made offilm, a spout sealingly applied to the container body, and a sacrificialclosure, formed by a peelable membrane or a breakable septum, sealinglyand irreversibly engaged to an inlet of a tube of the spout to close thespout; and performing a sterilization on the whole transport group byionizing radiation; wherein the transport device consists of a sectionbar having prevalent extension along a sliding axis and the providingstep involves insertion by sliding of the empty provisional closedpouches in said section bar along said sliding axis; wherein the spoutfurther comprises first and second support surfaces, wherein thetransport device is provided with fins suitable to support the pouch byengaging the fins between the first and second support surfaces of thespout; wherein the pouches are slidable in the section bar along saidsliding axis; wherein the fins of the transport device cooperate withfirst and second guide surfaces of the spout to guide the sliding of thepouch in the section bar, the fins suitable for engaging the spoutbetween the first and second guide surfaces and supporting the pouch inboth a “standing” configuration where the spout is arranged at the topand the pouch at the bottom and in an “upside down” configuration wherethe spout is arranged at the bottom and pouch at the top; wherein thefirst and second guide surfaces are flat and parallel to each other,parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pouch, and equidistant from thelongitudinal axis, the first and second guide surfaces being containedbetween the first and second support surfaces; and wherein said guidesurfaces are formed by transversely-spaced, opposed, surfaces of firstand second guide walls, respectively.
 5. A method for filling flexiblepouches, comprising the steps of: providing a transport group comprisinga plurality of transport devices, each carrying sterilized empty closedpouches, said transport devices stacked, wherein each sterilized emptyclosed pouch comprises a container body having walls made of film, aspout sealingly applied to the container body, and a sacrificialclosure, formed by a peelable membrane or a breakable septum, sealinglyand irreversibly engaged to an inlet of a tube of the spout to close thespout; picking the sterilized empty closed pouches from the transportgroup and sending them in succession to a sterile chamber; for eachsterilized empty closed pouch, making at least a portion of the tubeprovided with the sacrificial closure to pass through the sterilechamber; and during said passing through the sterile chamber, openingthe spout, filling the sterilized open pouch and applying a tamper-proofcap to the tube to close the pouch; wherein the transport deviceconsists of a section bar having prevalent extension along a slidingaxis and the providing step involves insertion by sliding of the emptyprovisional closed pouches in said section bar along said sliding axis;wherein the spout further comprises first and second support surfaces,wherein the transport device is provided with fins suitable to supportthe pouch by engaging the fins between the first and second supportsurfaces of the spout; wherein the pouches are slidable in the sectionbar along said sliding axis; wherein the fins of the transport devicecooperate with first and second guide surfaces of the spout to guide thesliding of the pouch in the section bar, the fins suitable for engagingthe spout between the first and second guide surfaces and supporting thepouch in both a “standing” configuration where the spout is arranged atthe top and the pouch at the bottom and in an “upside down”configuration where the spout is arranged at the bottom and pouch at thetop; wherein the first and second guide surfaces are flat and parallelto each other, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the pouch, andequidistant from the longitudinal axis, the first and second guidesurfaces being contained between the first and second support surfaces;and wherein said guide surfaces are formed by transversely-spaced,opposed, surfaces of first and second guide walls, respectively.
 6. Amethod of sterilization of empty flexible pouches, comprising the stepsof: producing a plurality of pouches, wherein each pouch comprises acontainer body formed by walls made of flexible film and a spoutcomprising an entrance portion with an inlet and a tube with an outlet,said spout being sealingly applied to the container body so as toprotrude outside of the container body with at least a section of thetube; providing said spout of the empty pouch with an irreversiblesacrificial closure, formed by a peelable membrane or a breakableseptum, for the outlet of the spout, thereby obtaining empty provisionalclosed pouches to be sterilized; loading a plurality of emptyprovisional closed pouches to be sterilized on a transport device forcollective transportation; performing a sterilization of the transportdevice loaded with empty provisional closed pouches, by ionizingradiation; picking the sterilized empty provisional closed pouches fromthe transport device and sending them in succession to a sterilechamber; for each sterilized empty closed pouch, making at least aportion of the tube provided with the sacrificial closure to passthrough the sterile chamber; and during said passing through the sterilechamber, opening the spout, filling the sterilized open pouch andapplying a tamper-proof cap to the tube to close the pouch; wherein thetransport device consists of a section bar having prevalent extensionalong a sliding axis and the loading step involves insertion by slidingof the empty provisional closed pouches in said section bar along saidsliding axis; wherein the spout further comprises first and secondsupport surfaces, wherein the transport device is provided with finssuitable to support the pouch by engaging the fins between the first andsecond support surfaces of the spout; wherein the pouches are slidablein the section bar along said sliding axis; wherein the fins of thetransport device cooperate with first and second guide surfaces of thespout to guide the sliding of the pouch in the section bar, the finssuitable for engaging the spout between the first and second guidesurfaces and supporting the pouch in both a “standing” configurationwhere the spout is arranged at the top and the pouch at the bottom andin an “upside down” configuration where the spout is arranged at thebottom and pouch at the top; wherein the first and second guide surfacesare flat and parallel to each other, parallel to a longitudinal axis ofthe pouch, and equidistant from the longitudinal axis, the first andsecond guide surfaces being contained between the first and secondsupport surfaces; and wherein said guide surfaces are formed bytransversely-spaced, opposed, surfaces of first and second guide walls,respectively.
 7. An assembly comprising: a transport device forcollective transportation of empty flexible pouches; and a plurality ofempty provisional closed pouches to be sterilized loaded on thetransport device, wherein each empty provisional closed pouch to besterilized comprises a container body having walls made of film, a spoutsealingly applied to the container body, and a sacrificial closure,formed by a peelable membrane or a breakable septum, sealingly andirreversibly engaged to an inlet of a tube of the spout to close thespout, wherein the spout further comprises first and second supportsurfaces, wherein the transport device is provided with fins suitable tosupport the pouch by engaging the fins between the first and secondsupport surfaces of the spout, wherein the transport device is a sectionbar having prevalent extension along a sliding axis, wherein the pouchesare slidable in the section bar along said sliding axis, wherein thefins of the transport device cooperate with first and second guidesurfaces of the spout to guide the sliding of the pouch in the sectionbar, the fins suitable for engaging the spout between the first andsecond guide surfaces and supporting the pouch in both a “standing”configuration where the spout is arranged at the top and the pouch atthe bottom and in an “upside down” configuration where the spout isarranged at the bottom and pouch at the top; wherein the first andsecond guide surfaces are flat and parallel to each other, parallel to alongitudinal axis of the pouch, and equidistant from the longitudinalaxis, the first and second guide surfaces being contained between thefirst and second support surfaces; and wherein said guide surfaces areformed by transversely-spaced, opposed, surfaces of first and secondguide walls, respectively.
 8. An assembly according to claim 7, whereinthe section bar has a compartment delimited in part by a base, saidcompartment being suitable to accommodate at least a portion of the tubeof the spout and the sacrificial closure engaged with said tube.
 9. Atransport group comprising a plurality of simple transport surfaces,wherein each transport surface comprises a predefined number ofassemblies according to claim 8, placed side-by-side at the same heightand carrying provisional closed pouches to be sterilized arranged in thesame direction, wherein the provisional closed pouches to be sterilizedare all “standing” or all “upside down”, and wherein the transportsurfaces are stacked.
 10. A transport group comprising a plurality ofdual transport surfaces, wherein each transport surface comprises: afirst level comprising a predefined number of assemblies according toclaim 8, placed side-by-side at the same height, all carrying emptyprovisional closed pouches to be sterilized arranged in the samedirection, wherein the provisional closed pouches to be sterilized areall “standing” or all “upside down”, and a second level superimposed onthe first, comprising a predefined number of assemblies according toclaim 8, placed sides-by-side and carrying the empty provisional closedpouches to be sterilized arranged in a direction opposite to that of thefirst level, wherein the provisional closed pouches to be sterilized areall “upside down” or all “standing”, and wherein said transport surfacesare stacked.
 11. A transport group comprising a plurality of simpletransport surfaces, wherein each transport surface comprises apredefined number of assemblies according to claim 7, placedside-by-side at the same height and carrying provisional closed pouchesto be sterilized arranged in the same direction, wherein the provisionalclosed pouches to be sterilized are all “standing” or all “upside down”,and wherein the transport surfaces are stacked.
 12. A transport groupcomprising a plurality of dual transport surfaces, wherein eachtransport surface comprises: a first level comprising a predefinednumber of assemblies according to claim 7, placed side-by-side at thesame height, all carrying empty provisional closed pouches to besterilized arranged in the same direction, wherein the provisionalclosed pouches to be sterilized are all “standing” or all “upside down”,and a second level superimposed on the first, comprising a predefinednumber of assemblies according to claim 7, placed side-by-side andcarrying the empty provisional closed pouches to be sterilized arrangedin a direction opposite to that of the first level, wherein theprovisional closed pouches to be sterilized are all “upside down” or all“standing”, and wherein said transport surfaces are stacked.